1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

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Vzike
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1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by Vzike » April 25th, 2016, 1:28 pm

OK... this will get some mixed results, but I'm in the process of converting my 77 A2 to USAF. It's going to be used up at Grissom. Apparently, the AF acquired some M151s and used them at bases in the states. They were repainted Strato Blue with yellow markings. I have a month to do it, so I'm jumping right in. First items are to get a heater in it, and to get the engine running as smooth as possible. Once that is done, I'll start masking and painting... and disassembling and painting... and more painting.

First project is to change out a troublesome carb.

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Vin Zike

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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by SEABEE62 » April 25th, 2016, 4:21 pm

Ackkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...Air Force blue ???? I think ALL M151s should be OD !!! :lol: :lol: :lol: ( or Navy Gray )
1971 M151A2 MUTT , M416 trailer
NMCB 62, Delta Co.,BU2, Gulfport, MS Home Port
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rickf
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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by rickf » April 25th, 2016, 6:35 pm

No comment on the color but if you change out the carb do yourself a favor and get the right fitting for the line into the carb, That is NOT a tapered pipe thread, at least it isn't until someone jams a pipe threaded fitting in there.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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muttguru
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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by muttguru » April 25th, 2016, 6:57 pm

Vzike wrote:They were repainted Strato Blue with yellow markings.
We visited several USAF facilities in the 70's up to the 2000's and saw several USAF mutts and M416 trailers on base. I never saw one in Strata Blue. Just sayin'.......
ken
Kind regards....
Ken

Always wanted - Details and pictures of M416 Trailer data plates & M151 data plates & body-tags for my research. Thanks!

Contact address - - muttguru@aol.com

Note for 2023..... Ken..."Less Stress - More Exercise!"

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rickf
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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by rickf » April 25th, 2016, 7:02 pm

Hey old man, isn't way past your bed time? :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by muttguru » April 25th, 2016, 7:20 pm

rickf wrote:Hey old man, isn't way past your bed time? :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
Sleep? What's that? :D It's only just gone midnight here and believe it or not, it's trying to snow. I'm looking forward to Winter....at least we'll know what to expect from the weather................
ken
Kind regards....
Ken

Always wanted - Details and pictures of M416 Trailer data plates & M151 data plates & body-tags for my research. Thanks!

Contact address - - muttguru@aol.com

Note for 2023..... Ken..."Less Stress - More Exercise!"

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rickf
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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by rickf » April 25th, 2016, 7:22 pm

Snow? End of April, now I know why I never came there!
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by Tom » April 26th, 2016, 8:09 am

This is all my fault. When I first approached Vin about the idea of an Air Force blue Mutt he too was appalled. But sure enough, over time one of your own alert members came up with a picture of a blue Mutt captured doing duty in an area Vin recognized at Tan Son Nhut. I want to use and exhibit this Mutt in association with my duties as a trustee at the Grissom AFB Museum, formerly a SAC base. We host a couple of classic car shows every summer and the event always draws a crowd of historic military vehicles. I think the blue Mutt will bring a refreshing break from all the OD and camo.

According to reliable sources, the Air Force acquired all of their Mutts via the United States Army. Most were assigned overseas or to rapid deployment units and were left in their green "work clothes". But a number of these trucks found service on stateside Air Force installations where they were repainted in a "scratch and shoot" scheme with little attention to detail.

In the interest of historic accuracy I would of course appreciate your opinions.

On an unrelated note, I called USAA about insuring this Mutt and somewhat surprisingly, they didn't know what I was talking about. Does anybody know what the Army paid for a new Mutt back in 1977?

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Vzike
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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by Vzike » April 26th, 2016, 8:55 am

rickf wrote:No comment on the color but if you change out the carb do yourself a favor and get the right fitting for the line into the carb, That is NOT a tapered pipe thread, at least it isn't until someone jams a pipe threaded fitting in there.
Had a number of the carbs rebuilt at Brooks. Most of the ones I have are missing that top fitting. Billy taps them for a pipe thread, so it works.

Also, the nut is steel, so a brass fitting won't taper the female thread. Remember OJ.... "If it fits, you must acquit"

I need a few of the large brass double fitting off the top. Anyone got them? 1? 10? ANY?
Vin Zike

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rickf
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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by rickf » April 26th, 2016, 9:43 am

Tapping that port out for a pipe fitting is a bad idea, The boss is not reinforced for the outward pressure from pipe threads and whether it is tapped or just plain has a fitting threaded in it will still split the housing if it is tightened just a hair too much. The straight threads and pipe threads are the same count so tapping does not really make a whole lot of difference. That kind of tells me a lot about his work ethic! What if you have the proper fitting to use in a Brookes carb! It is going to be very loose and prone to leaking in a pipe threaded hole.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by njjeeper » April 26th, 2016, 11:52 am

I can't say if they were in service wearing blue aside from that pic, but I can't wait to see a blue mutt! Your truck will always stand out at a show and if you print the pic from Vietnam, you can keep the purists at bay :)

My M43 was in Strata and I really liked the color....

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Mr. Recovery
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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by Mr. Recovery » April 26th, 2016, 12:11 pm

Tom wrote:
On an unrelated note, I called USAA about insuring this Mutt and somewhat surprisingly, they didn't know what I was talking about. Does anybody know what the Army paid for a new Mutt back in 1977?
I have my 67 insured by USAA along with all me other vehcs; it is titled in Fl. as a 1967 jeep with a ID # "vin" of USMC3XXXX4 I also have Antique tags on it. :roll:

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1960 M151 Run 1
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Vzike
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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by Vzike » April 26th, 2016, 1:39 pm

Title was not a problem. Just costs a few $$ I used the tub part number combined with the tub serial number. Comes right out at 13 characters. We had a proper police check down here (Florida also) and the numbers are clearly where they should be.

As far as the purist point of view goes.... with these things you can ALMOST Never Say Never...... I'm sure there were blue ones. Navy had Grey ones. If I were a true purist, I would have left this as a USMC M151A2, in the USMC cammo it went to the can in.
Vin Zike

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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by muttguru » April 27th, 2016, 5:26 am

Vin, go ahead and do it in Strata Blue. Whatever us fuddy-duddy nitpickers say, it will look good and will certainly generate some interesting conversations !
ken
Kind regards....
Ken

Always wanted - Details and pictures of M416 Trailer data plates & M151 data plates & body-tags for my research. Thanks!

Contact address - - muttguru@aol.com

Note for 2023..... Ken..."Less Stress - More Exercise!"

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Re: 1977 A2 Transforming to USAF

Unread post by armyvehicles » April 27th, 2016, 7:09 am

muttguru wrote:Vin, go ahead and do it in Strata Blue. Whatever us fuddy-duddy nitpickers say, it will look good and will certainly generate some interesting conversations !
ken
I agree - go for it ! :)

Henrik
1969 M151A1 (Ex Danish Army)

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